I N S TA L L AT I O N G U I D E RADIO FREQUENCY GATEWAY RFG
CONGRATULATIONS! Thank you for purchasing the RFG Radio Frequency Gateway from Niles. With proper installation and operation, you should enjoy years of trouble-free use. Niles manufactures the industry’s most complete line of custom installation components and accessories for audio/video systems. To see the complete Niles product assortment, visit us on the Internet at: www.nilesaudio.
INTRODUCTION The Niles RFG Radio Frequency Gateway is a highly flexible tool that allows system designers to add a ZigBee® radio transmitter/receiver to Niles MultiZone products or extend the Radio Frequency Receiver of a Niles HT-MSU Home Theater Main System Unit. FEATURES AND BENEFITS MULTI-MODE SET-UP DIPSWITCHES The RFG has two dipswitches that are set to choose one of the four operation modes: Master Base, Repeater Base, Wireless Keypad and Not Assigned. The mode is determined by the system design.
QUICK AND EASY SET-UP WITH WIZARD-BASED NILES QUICKCONFIGTM CONFIGURATION SOFTWARE An RFG can be added to any network based Niles MultiZone Receiver or home system theater using the Niles QuickConfig System Configuration Software. The QuickConfig‘ software is wizard-based and guides the installer/programmer through basic and advanced system designs. Configuration is stored in non-volatile memory within the RFG. This safeguards against accidental loss of programming for the entire life of the product.
1) Power LED - The blue LED indicates that the RFG has power. This LED also indicates the connection status to the Niles MultiZone Receiver or Home Theater Main System Unit. 2) System Connection - This RJ-45 connection is used when the RFG is connected to a Niles MultiZone receiver. 3) Keypad Connection - This RJ-45 connection is used when the RFG is connected to a keypad, a Niles HT-MSU Home Theater Main System Unit, or to continue the CAT-5 cable run to other RFGs.
ZIGBEE TERMINOLOGY To understand how to use the RFG, the system designer needs to understand ZigBee terminology. MASTER BASE The Master Base is the coordinator of the RF mesh network. Its job is to receive information from the Repeater Bases and End-Points in the system, consolidate that information, and provide it to the main controlled source. The Master Base is like a head coach in football.
ZIGBEE RF NETWORK When designing an RF network it is important to know that at least one Master Base and one End-Point are needed. Repeater bases are used to expand the coverage area of the RF network. Multiple hops can be used in a RF network design, however great care should be used to not exceed more than four hops. To count the hops, start from an end-point, and then add one for each Repeater Base used between the End-Point and the Master Base. See Figure 1 for basic RF network system design. Figure 1.
RFG USAGE WITH NILES NETWORK-BASED MULTIZONE RECEIVERS The RFG can be used with Niles Network-based MultiZone receivers allowing the installer to create “wireless keypads.” Typically, control keypads are connected to the MultiZone receiver via a CAT-5 cable. In installations that do not allow a run of CAT-5 cable (such as a retrofit or a detached area from the main equipment area), use the RFG to overcome the hard-wired limitation.
SYSTEM DESIGN WIRING FOR RFG The RFG has two RJ-45 connections for wiring into the system. The connection used depends on the mode and overall system design. A MASTER RFG CONNECTED TO A NILES NETWORK-BASED MULTIZONE RECEIVER: A RFG with dipswitches set for Master Base mode must be connected directly to the MultiZone receiver using CAT-5 cable as detailed in Figure 2. No power supply is needed. Figure 2.
A REPEATER RFG NOT WIRED TO A MULTIZONE RECEIVER A RFG set for Repeater Base Mode and not connected to a MultiZone receiver (stand alone) must have an optional power supply connected. Figure 4. RFG wired as a stand alone repeater ��� ���������������� ������� RFG A RFG SET FOR WIRELESS KEYPAD MODE A RFG set for Wireless Keypad must have the optional power supply and a CAT-5 cable connected to the keypad. Figure 5.
Figure 6. RFG extending the radio of a HT-MSU CAT-5 Cable ��� ���������������� ������� HT-MSU Keypad Port RFG INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS PLACEMENT OF THE RFG Niles recommends placing the RFG along a baseboard or in an attic. Generally, the unit should be placed in a concealed location because its indicator and connections are only used during installation.
ANTENNA CONSIDERATIONS Communication between RFGs is RF-based with a frequency of 2.4 Gigahertz. Effective range of communication is 75 feet (22.86 meters) in open air. The RF antenna is internal to the RFG and its orientation is shown by the “molded radio wave symbol” on the front of the RFG. The RFG and its antenna should be vertical for best reception. Figure 8.
INSTALLATION 1) SET THE RF MODE DIPSWITCHES ( Figure 9) 2) CONNECT CAT-5 CABLE Connection to a MultiZone receiver or a keypad uses CAT-5 cable terminated with RJ45 connection plugs. The CAT-5 cable must be terminated using the T568A standard wiring ( Figure 10). Figure 9. Repeater Base Dipswitch setting ��� ���������������� ������� Dipswitches ������������� ��������������� Figure 10.
TROUBLESHOOTING The set-up dipswitches allow the RFG to be pre-configured for its role in the system RF mode design. With this in mind, troubleshooting the RFG comes down to two main issues: 1) SET-UP ISSUES 2) HARDWARE ISSUES SET-UP ISSUES PROBLEM: 1. Wrong Set-up If the RFG is set-up for the wrong operation mode, the system will not operate properly. The symptoms could include: Power LED flickers or is off, intermittent operation, or no operation.
PROBLEM: 1. Bad Connections or Wiring If the connections or wiring are wrong, loose, shorted, or open, the system will not operate properly. The symptoms could include: Power LED flickers or is off, intermittent operation or no operation. SOLUTIONS: • Test your power supply connections • Test your CAT-5 cable for shorts and opens PROBLEM: 2.
ACCESSORIES OF THE RFG 1.
SPECIFICATIONS Power Requirements: 12VDC from either connection to Niles Network based MultiZone receiver or optional Niles power supply (FG01035) Unit Dimensions: 4.68" L x 2.15" W x 1.15" H 11.89 cm x 5.46cm x 2.92cm RF Section: 2.4-GHz frequency ZigBee wireless mesh technology Signal Range: 75 to 100 feet open air (22.86 meters to 30.48 meters) Wiring Requirements: CAT-5 cable Shipping Weight: 1 lb.
LIMITED WARRANTY Niles Audio Corporation (“NILES”) warrants to the original retail purchaser only that this product will be free of manufacturing defects in material and workmanship for the following periods and subject to the limitations and exclusions set forth below: Lifetime Warranty All Passive Loudspeaker Products (those not requiring AC or battery power). Ten years from the date of purchase All Other Passive Products (those not requiring AC or battery power).
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